Are we there yet?

Greetings on this the First Sunday of Advent
Readings: IS 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7; PS 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; 1 COR 1:3-9; MK 13:33-37
Notes: Seasons of readings: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (Time After Epiphany), Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Ordinary Time (Time After Pentecost).

Advent candles (“Arrival” or “Coming”)

1. Jesus is the light entering the darkness. We hope in him.
2. Jesus is the peace of the Father. We find peace in him.
3. Jesus is the Joy of the Father. We find joy in him.
4. Jesus is the Love of the Father. We find love in him.

Summary

We are in the season of Advent. It’s complicated. We are far from the LORD by our own making. We are close to the LORD by the desire of His heart. In our reading from the prophet Isaiah the writer seeks the LORD’s return of favor. Something is missing and it is the LORD. Yet Isaiah knows it is our own mistakes that make things strained. But he is clear, LORD, you are the Potter, we the clay. Only you can transform us to our best image and likeness of you.

Yet still in the accusation is the strength – the hope the LORD can change things: There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to cling to you.

We can call out his name. We can cling to him.
He invites us to do so.

Reflection

Advent – Arrival or Coming. For each person the question has a different answer. Has Jesus arrived or is he passing by? Is he the hope of anticipation or the living out of the union with you? I think the answer is very much in flux in three ways.

1. Jesus has already arrived and will come again on the Cosmic scale.
2. Jesus has already invited us into his life and will come back around again and again with the invitation on the personal scale.
3. In the philosophical and theological scale, Jesus is always arriving and wanting us to be alert to his presence. And, again, Jesus is always coming to visit during the course of our life as the perpetual promise he makes to his children, us. I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Personal Reflection

As a child Advent was the great anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Babies are cute and the idea of Jesus incarnate was so very compelling for me as a kid. Are we there yet? Whether a car ride or waiting for Christmas morning, that was the question. For me as an adult the Joyful mysteries of the rosary are much more impactful. How everyone responds to Jesus. The gospel of Luke chapters 1 and 2 are so very moving to me. Everyone has an answer to God. The gospels of Matthew (1 & 2) and Luke (1 & 2) give the infancy narratives in their own ways. I think a lot about how people respond to the LORD.

First Reading
From Isaiah’s Prayer for the Return of God’s Favor

You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever. Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to cling to you; for you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us up to our guilt.
Yet, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.

Responsorial
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

Second Reading
God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. He will keep you firm to the end. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Acclamation
Show us Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.

Gospel
Need for Watchfulness.
Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry